What used to be a cluttered, dim room of salvaged furniture and donated items is now a bright, fully-stocked resource room designed to offer support to some of Leesburg’s most vulnerable families at Leesburg Elementary School.

On Wednesday, school officials, volunteers and community partners gathered at Leesburg Elementary for the grand reveal of “The Nest,” a newly renovated needs pantry that provides food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies for students and their families — all at no cost. The transformation was made possible by the Addition Financial Foundation as part of its 2025 Renovate to Educate initiative.

Florence Katzenberger, the family school liaison who manages the space, was overwhelmed by emotion as she stepped inside for the first time.

“I used to say I’m not Walmart, but now I am,” Florence says with tears in her eyes. “I don’t even know how to say thank you to everybody. I really don’t. I’m over the moon. This is just so beautiful.”

Florence, who has worked for years to serve the needs of students and families at Leesburg Elementary, previously relied on discarded shelving and furniture to build out her original pantry. The room was functional, but far from ideal. Now, it includes brand-new shelving, racks, a changing room, labeled bins for clothing and shoes, a dedicated desk area and even a bike rack.

Cristina Lehman, executive director of the Addition Financial Foundation, says the shift from classroom makeovers to needs pantries came after the team asked how they could make a deeper impact.

“When we talk about student success, we understand it must go beyond the classroom,” Cristina says. “These spaces are about meeting basic needs so students can focus on learning. The Addition Financial Foundation is proud to partner with these schools to create environments that offer comfort, support and dignity to the families who rely on them.”

Leesburg Elementary was one of four schools selected across Central Florida to receive a full transformation, but it stands out in one crucial way — 100 percent of its 752 students are considered low-income, and 45 students are currently experiencing homelessness, according to April 2025 district data.

“This school in particular is 100 percent free and reduced lunch,” Cristina explains during the presentation. “When you support a program like this, you’re not just affecting one or two kids. You’re helping their siblings, their parents, their grandparents — everyone in the home.”

The Foundation donated more than $4,000 in furniture, décor and supplies for the project, but Cristina emphasizes that not a single dollar was spent on food or clothing.

“Let me tell you, we didn’t spend one cent on filling the shelves,” she says. “Every other pantry we’ve built, we had to buy food and clothes. But here, the donations were so generous, we spent all of your money on furniture.”

Over the course of eight days, more than 20 volunteers from Addition Financial — including branch managers, accountants and real estate staff — helped assemble furniture, unpack boxes, organize supplies, and design the space. Interior design interns from Seminole State College partnered on the layout to ensure functionality and flow.

“We want to make it easier for you to impact even more kids in Leesburg and in Lake County,” Cristina says. “And Florence, you’re the leader of this Nest. We’re so glad we were able to do this for your school and your community.”

As the doors opened for the first time, a small group of staff, volunteers and school district leaders followed Florence inside to witness her reaction.

“This is unbelievable,” she says. “It looks like a department store.”

One side of the room is filled with school supplies. The other area includes a mix of clothing and supplies, with shoes, backpacks, and toiletries arranged by size. One side is designated for girls, the other for boys, and even adult-sized clothing is available for older students or family members.

“I’d be proud to bring parents in here now,” Florence says. “Now, this is a space where families can feel seen and supported.”